Norwex Crystal Deoderant

Norwex is all about radically reducing chemicals in our lives. Sounds great. I can get on board with that. I can clean without chemicals using just microfiber. I can even get on board with using microfiber for cleaning my body with no soap. I especially love that I can shave without using shaving cream after exfoliating with the body cloths. But, each time I flipped through my catalog, I would glance at the words "Norwex Crystal Deoderant. Natural Protection" and continue flipping. I could get behind all these other ways of rethinking how I cleaned my home and my body, but I just couldn't conceive of not using antiperspirant/deodorant. Could I trade my chemicals for the chance of sweat and stink? Because, really, could this really work? I just couldn't chance it.

Well, let's look more closely at it. The website description says: "Made from natural crystallized mineral salts, Norwex Crystal Deodorant is hypoallergenic, non-staining and non-sticky. It does not contain harmful chemicals, oils, perfumes or emulsifiers. Your body is allowed to perspire naturally, yet the crystal salts inhibits the growth of bacteria, therefore preventing body odor." Ok...sounds alright except for that whole "allowed to perspire naturally" bit. That sounds gross and smelly. Hmmmm...not this time.

I FINALLY order one, just to have as a display at parties. But now I am getting questions about it, so I guess I am going to have to try it. I'm slightly skeptical but I have a weekend that I don't have to go anywhere, so I decide to try it. I have researched how to apply it because that is supposed to be key in the success. Here are the tips:

1) Only wet the crystal slightly...two drops of water should be enough.
2) Rub the crystal on your underarm until the crystal is totally dry. This may take you 30 seconds or so. You can't just do the quick swipe of traditional deodorants. You will know the crystal is dry because it will begin to stick on your skin instead of gliding smoothly when it is wet. The purpose is to get a thin coating of the salts from the crystal on your skin.
3) Re-wet and apply to other underarm.

Results, after applying for the first time, I went outside on a hot day to walk my friend's dog and spent some time on the lake beach (didn't go swimming). I did sweat but not to the extent that I would considering I did not have antiperspirant on. More than anything, I did not smell! Success! I have been using it for 4 days now and it is still working. The key is to follow the correct application and making sure you apply until the crystal is totally dry. I actually like the feel of it better since it is not a heavy coating of chemicals on my skin. It feels so much better and it doesn't get all over my clothes!

Now, I dare you! Give it a try! 

Headlights vs Envirocloth & Cleaning Paste

The weather is starting to get a little warmer, so I felt the urge to go outside and start cleaning my car. Where should I start? Hmmmm...look at those headlights!

They were pretty cloudy looking so I thought I would first see how much just wiping them down with an envirocloth would do. There is obviously just some regular old dirt & grime (and probably some winter salt) on them. After a quick wipe down with a damp  envirocloth, things were a little clearer. 

Then, I said to myself, "Self, I wonder what would happen if I used a little Cleaning Paste?" Well, I just couldn't resist. I whipped out my handy jar of Cleaning Paste, got a little on my damp envirocloth and got to scrubbing. I could see that more was coming off! After a minute or so, I wiped the paste off with a clean area of the enviro, and dried up with the window polishing cloth, and voila!

Of course there are some areas that are scratched and nothing is going to resolve that, but I was quite impressed with my little green cloth and the Cleaning paste. What else will I find to clean? Stay tuned......

Magic Wand (aka Enviro Wand)

Make cleaning easier with the Norwex Enviro Wand. The wand is bendable to reach into every nook and cranny! The sleeve is removable to make for easy washing. My favorite feature (besides the fact that it holds on to dust to keep me from sneezing!) is that it can reach all the high areas in my home by attaching to the end of the Norwex telescopic mop handle.

Ampersand, Etc.

I am excited! For what? Business cards! You may have already read my blogpost about the new project Labores Amicorum. One of our member businesses, Ampersand, Etc., is run by designer Victoria Wyant. I will be getting my business cards from Ampersand, Etc. I can't wait to work with Victoria on my design. I know that with her creativity, she will design something that is uniquely me! No cookie cutter business card design for my business! I highly recommend seeking out her services for all your stationary and graphic design needs.

Check out her website and Facebook page.

Labores Amicorum {Work of Friends}

My college friend, Victoria Wyant, and I have started a new venture! We have started a blog and Facebook group called Labores Amicorum {Work of Friends}. We will be featuring the businesses/blogs/ventures of our community of friends from Ave Maria College. We created this community to support one another and give the customer base of each member a resource for finding other great business, blogs, and services run by honest and ethical individuals. I hope that you will join me in supporting these great people in their work!

Laundry Solutions Part 1

Laundry. The bane of my existence. Your's too? So, I'm not alone. Not only is it time consuming and seemingly never ending, it is full of chemicals and fillers that are not contributing to our well being. More bad news about laundry? Yes! But, I'm also here to offer you some alternative solutions that will save your health and your budget.

Let's start with the bad news first.

Most laundry detergents are bulked up with fillers that can cause cloths to become dingy over time because they leave a residue on our "clean" clothes. This residue can be absorbed through the skin and can cause rashes, itching, sinus problems and other allergic reactions.

Now for the good news!

There are no fillers in NORWEX Ultra Power Plus Laundry Detergent! See the results of an easy test of putting just 1 tsp of Norwex UPP Detergent in water compared to 1 tsp of Tide. After 15 minutes, you can see which one is really free of fillers.

[ In the above picture, the clear mixture is the Norwex Detergent (after 15 minutes) and the cloudy is Tide.] 

Of course, you wonder about the cost. What if I told you that Norwex's Ultra Power Plus can also save you money?

Give it a try for your family! Better and safer cleaning and easier on the budget too!

Stay tuned for Laundry Solutions Part 2

A Tale of Descaler and the Spirinett

Once upon a time, there was a drain stopper who suffered greatly from the layers upon layers of minerals built up on it from hard water. The water would add to the thick coating day after day, never letting up. The poor drain stopped had been scrubbed and doused with every toxic chemical imaginable, but, alas, there was no relief! 

The sad little drain stopper thought that her blemishes would cause her whole sink to be disposed. This was very frustrating and she couldn't understand why it had to be this way. Why couldn't something save her? Then, one day, the poor abused drain stopper got sprayed with Norwex Descaler. This was something different! There were no toxic fumes and the stopper could feel the enzymes breaking down the buildup all around her rim. Next, the Norwex Spirinetts swooped in and went to work scrubbing off layer after layer. 

The little drain stopper could hardly believe it! The Descaler and Spirinett saved her from disposal and made her as shiny as new! Is there anything in your home needing to be rescued?